Acorn Equality Fund

Mission
The Acorn Equality Fund, established in 1999, is a grassroots organization that provides financial support for the advancement of the education, health and civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their allies in downstate Illinois.

Scholarship Opportunities
The scholarship program is designed to provide academic financial support for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered students, allies or the children of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered parents. Applications for 2020 will be available in May 2019 and due in September 2019.

Grant Opportunities
The grant program is designed to provide financial support for any organization or individual who offers programs or services which advance the education, health and civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their allies in downstate Illinois.

Dreams of Our Scholarship Winners
“My dreams for the future are ambitious. I believe we can create communities of change on a local level first, and then foster those communities on a global level.”
“I want to be at the head of a massive public relations campaign to advocate passage of a federal equal rights amendment.”
“My dreams for the future include fighting for the rights of people who have been marginalized and walking in this world with a sense of purpose, justice and hope.”
“I want to fight for equal rights for all people, not just mine.”
“I want everyone to realize that loving another human being is more important than that person’s gender.”
“I want to teach people that stereotypes are cruel and dangerous. I want the world to realize that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender are just words—but people are people.”
“I truly believe that small things done with great love can change the world, for anyone.”

How to Help
Acorn Equality Fund (AEF) is proud to have such strong community support. Your donations provide scholarships and grants to individuals and organizations for the advancement of education, health and civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their allies. Please visit our website to donate or to join our mailing list.